Apple suspends online sales in Russia

Apple temporarily stopped selling products online in Russia yesterday, as the US-based manufacturer needs to revise its pricing. Apple was forced to take this action as Russian ruble dropped 19 percent yesterday. The value or the ruble compared to international currency is 60 percent lower in the present than it was a couple of weeks ago.

Due to the fluctuations of the ruble, Apple was now making significantly less US dollars from each sale compared to a couple of months ago when the manufacturer unveiled a slew of new products. And as it would seem, sales have gone up in recent weeks due to a combination of negative economic factors. Yesterday an iPhone 6 could be purchased at the equivalent of $585, much cheaper than what Apple asks on the rest of the globe.

Back in November, Apple raised prices with roughly 20 to 25 percent in Russia, with the iPhone 6, the iPhone 6 Plus, the iPads, and the Macs all being included in the price correction. Apple did not announce when it plans to resume its online sales.

Apple is not the only western company who has been forced to raise its prices due to the depreciation of the local currency. McDonald's, Renault, Chanel, Yves Rocher, and many others have already raised their prices in Rusia during the past few days. In anticipation to even further depreciation, a shopping frenzy is starting in the country as people rush to make the most out of their money before prices raise again.

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